Description
Homemade salted caramel apple pie combines sweet and tangy flavors with a golden, flaky crust. Seasonal apples and rich caramel create a delightful dessert that will satisfy cravings for comforting, classic American baking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 pounds (1.13 kg) Granny Smith or Pink Lady apples (about 6 large or 7 medium), or a mix
- 2 (8 to 10 oz/226 to 283 g) flaky pie crusts, thawed if frozen
- ½ cup (100 g) packed dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp turbinado or coarse sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly blend granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, kosher salt, and nutmeg into a uniform spice mixture that will infuse the apple filling with rich, aromatic flavors.
- Apple Transformation: Meticulously peel, halve, and core fresh apples, then slice into uniform 1/4-inch wedges, ensuring consistent thickness for optimal texture and even cooking throughout the pie.
- Flavor Infusion: Gently fold sliced apples into the prepared spice mixture, coating each piece completely to guarantee a harmonious blend of sweet and warm seasonings.
- Pie Assembly: Carefully layer the seasoned apple slices into the prepared pie crust, creating a compact and neatly arranged filling that will provide structural integrity and maximum flavor concentration.
- Caramel Enhancement: Generously drizzle caramel sauce over the apple layers, allowing it to cascade between the fruit, creating pockets of rich, buttery sweetness throughout the pie.
- Lattice Crafting: Skillfully weave pie dough strips into an intricate lattice top, trimming excess edges and crimping the border to create a decorative and secure seal that will showcase the pie’s rustic elegance.
- Finishing Touches: Brush the entire lattice surface with egg wash and sprinkle coarse sugar crystals, providing a glistening, crisp exterior that will add textural contrast and visual appeal.
- Baking Process: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 50-60 minutes, monitoring crust color and protecting with aluminum foil if browning occurs too rapidly to ensure a perfectly golden finish.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow the pie to cool completely for approximately 2 hours, enabling the filling to set and flavors to meld, then slice and serve with an additional caramel sauce drizzle for an indulgent dessert experience.
Notes
- Choose Ripe Apples: Select firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and texture in your pie.
- Prevent Apple Browning: Toss sliced apples with a splash of lemon juice to maintain their fresh color and prevent oxidation during preparation.
- Master Lattice Technique: Chill pie dough strips before weaving to ensure clean, crisp lattice edges and prevent stretching or tearing.
- Control Caramel Distribution: Allow caramel sauce to cool slightly before drizzling to prevent excessive liquid and maintain pie structure.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg